Jill on Money: Investing, BP & MCD, Retirement

By Jill Schlesinger

Updated on: April 23, 2011 / 8:37 AM
/ MoneyWatch

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Paul from North Hollywood, CA (KFWB Talk Radio 980), called us back after appearing on last week's show -- our first repeat caller! Last week, I helped him with pension elections and this week, we discussed whether an annuity purchase with 401 (k) funds makes sense.

Randy needed a strategy to help him put money back into the market--a great opportunity to talk about dollar cost averaging, as well as the amount of cash that retirees should have in cash.

Speaking of cash, Chris in NYC (as well as DP and Jerry) bemoaned the paltry interest rates on savings accounts-I offered a few alternatives.

I touched on company news--McDonald's made headlines with a one-day national hiring event. Was it a PR event? Yes. Did it also present a real opportunity? Yes. I also discussed results of The Consumerist's "The Worst Company in America"...almost exactly a year after the Gulf oil spill, BP edged out the competition.

Check out this quick video for a primer on how much to pay a financial advisor}

Thanks to everyone who participated and to my producer Mark T. ("Mr. 18 percent"), who placated me by adding the Grateful Dead and Steely Dan to our musical mix. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact the show:

View all articles by Jill Schlesinger on CBS MoneyWatch »Jill Schlesinger, CFP®, is the Emmy-nominated, Business Analyst for CBS News. She covers the economy, markets, investing and anything else with a dollar sign on TV, radio (including her nationally syndicated radio show), the web and her blog, "Jill on Money." Prior to her second career at CBS, Jill spent 14 years as the co-owner and Chief Investment Officer for an independent investment advisory firm. She began her career as a self-employed options trader on the Commodities Exchange of New York, following her graduation from Brown University.